I cant follow the logic of this proof

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving a relationship between the orthogonal complements of two subspaces, W_1 and W_2, within an inner product space V, specifically that if W_1 is a subset of W_2, then W_1's orthogonal complement is a superset of W_2's orthogonal complement.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the implications of the definitions of orthogonal complements and question the logic behind the proof steps. Some express confusion about the relationship between the subspaces and their orthogonal complements, while others attempt to clarify the reasoning involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants raising questions about the validity of certain steps in the proof and the assumptions made regarding the relationships between the subspaces. Some participants have offered insights into the reasoning, but there is no explicit consensus on the proof's clarity or correctness.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding the notation and the logical flow of the proof, particularly concerning the definitions of the orthogonal complements and the implications of the subset relationship between W_1 and W_2.

transgalactic
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W_1 and W_ 2 are subspaces of V of inner product V.
prove that if
[tex] W_1\subseteq W_2[/tex]
then
[tex] W_1^\perp \supseteq W_2^\perp [/tex]

the proof is:
we take [tex]v\epsilon W_1[/tex]
so <v,w>=0 for every [tex]w\epsilon W_1^\perp[/tex]

and because
[tex] W_2^\perp \subseteq W_1^\perp [/tex]
(i can't see why the "viven expression is "true" why "because")
we get that
<v,w>=0
for every [tex]w\epsilon W_2^\perp[/tex]

so [tex]v\epsilon W_2[/tex]
so
[tex] W_1^\perp \supseteq W_2^\perp [/tex]

??
 
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Your latex is messed up a bit, but it looks like what you typed after "because" is intended to be the final conclusion, which doesn't make a whole lot of sense. What you want is

<v,w>=0 for all w in W2 then <v,w> = 0 for all w in W1 (because W1 is a subset) Hence v in W2perp implies v is in W1perp by the definition of the perpendicular subspace
 
sorry i ment
[tex] <br /> W_2^\perp \subseteq W_1^\perp <br /> [/tex]i can't see how they came to this conclusion after they defined v
??
 
we got two subspaces W1 and W2
W2 includes W1
they take "v" which is orthogonal to every vector which is orthogonal to W1

so v is parallel to W1 ,v is a part of W1 .

you say
"<v,w>=0 for all w in W2"
so all the vectors in w (W2) are perpendicular to v (which is W1)

no one told us that W2 is perpendicular to W1 ??

further more i was told that W2 include W1

W2 W1 cannot be orthogonal
??
 
The way to prove A is a subset of B is to start "if x is a member of A" and conclude "x is a member of B".
If x is a member of [tex]W_2^\perp[/tex] then <x, v>= 0 for every member, v, of [tex]W_2[/tex]. Since [tex]W_1[/tex] is a subset of [tex]W_2[/tex], every v in [tex]W_1[/tex] is a member of [tex]W_2[/tex] so <x, v>= 0 for every member of [tex]W_1[/tex].
 
ok i agree <v,x>=0 because W1 is a part of W2

what is the next logical step
its still doesn't give me the step i didnt understang

[tex] W_2^\perp \subseteq W_1^\perp [/tex]
how did they get it?
 
v is perpendicular to [tex]W_1^\perp[/tex]
v is perpendicular to [tex]W_2^\perp[/tex] because W1 is a part of W2
so
one perpendicular member is a part of the other perpendicular member
but how to decide W2 perpendicular is a part of W1 perpendicular

[tex] W_2^\perp \subseteq W_1^\perp [/tex]
why its not the other way around
??
 
how to deside?
 
Maybe a diagram would help. Here's a representation of the vector space V and the two subspaces, [itex]W_1 and W_2[/itex], with [itex]W_1 \subseteq W_2[/itex].



[itex]W_2^\perp[/itex] is everything outside of [itex]W_2[/itex], but including the 0 vector.
[itex]W_1^\perp[/itex] is everything outside of [itex]W_1[/itex], which means it includes everything in [itex]W_2[/itex] that's not also in [itex]W_1[/itex], plus everything that's outside of [itex]W_2[/itex], plus the 0 vector.

Now, any vector [itex]v \in W_1^\perp[/itex] must be in
[itex](W_2 - W_1) \cup \{0\} \cup W_2^\perp[/itex]

[itex]\forall v \in W_2^\perp[/itex],
[itex]v \in W_2^\perp \cup (W_2 - W_1) \cup \{0\} = W_1^\perp[/itex].
Therefore, [itex]W_2^\perp \subseteq W_1^\perp[/itex]
 

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We know that every perpendicular vector of the larger subspace W_2 must be perpendicular to all vectors of any subspace within W_2; including the vectors making up W_1.

Thus, ALL vectors in the perpendicularity space of W_2, are elements in the perpendicularity space of W_1.
This means that the perp space of W_2 is contained in that of W_1

But, does it thereby follow that the perpendicularity space of W_1 is exhausted?
NO!

It might well include vectors of W_2 that happens to be perpendicular to every vector in W_1 as well!

Such vectors would NOT be part of the perpindicularity space of W_2, and therefore, one cannot say that the perp space of W_1 is contained within that of W_2
 
  • #12
Mark44 said:
Maybe a diagram would help. Here's a representation of the vector space V and the two subspaces, [itex]W_1 and W_2[/itex], with [itex]W_1 \subseteq W_2[/itex].



[itex]W_2^\perp[/itex] is everything outside of [itex]W_2[/itex], but including the 0 vector.
[itex]W_1^\perp[/itex] is everything outside of [itex]W_1[/itex], which means it includes everything in [itex]W_2[/itex] that's not also in [itex]W_1[/itex], plus everything that's outside of [itex]W_2[/itex], plus the 0 vector.

Now, any vector [itex]v \in W_1^\perp[/itex] must be in
[itex](W_2 - W_1) \cup \{0\} \cup W_2^\perp[/itex]

[itex]\forall v \in W_2^\perp[/itex],
[itex]v \in W_2^\perp \cup (W_2 - W_1) \cup \{0\} = W_1^\perp[/itex].
Therefore, [itex]W_2^\perp \subseteq W_1^\perp[/itex]

i can't see the attached diagram
 
  • #13
"Thus, ALL vectors in the perpendicularity space of W_2, are elements in the perpendicularity space of W_1."
why its not the other way around
 
  • #14
transgalactic said:
"Thus, ALL vectors in the perpendicularity space of W_2, are elements in the perpendicularity space of W_1."
why its not the other way around

Because a non-zero vector in W_2 that is not in W_1 might be perpendicular to all vectors in W_1.

Since it by definition would be IN W_2, it cannot be perpendicular to every vector in W_2 (it is, for example, NOT perpendicular to itself!).

Thus, such a vector would be in the perpendicularity space of W_1, but not in the perpendicularity space of W_2
 
  • #15
transgalactic said:
i can't see the attached diagram

You should be able to see it now.
 

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